Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Mar 23, 2005 / 12:00 am (CNA).- Bishop Nicanor Pena Rodriguez of Higuey, Dominican Republic, expressed sadness this week that it is taken “the deaths of 136 inmates in order for measures to be taken regarding prison conditions in the country.” He made his comments while celebrating a Mass for the repose of the souls of those prisoners who have died.

“It appears there has been no interest in solving the problems of our prisons, because time passes and everything still remains the same,” he said.

“It angers us to know that this could have been avoided if the proper measures had been adopted,” the bishop added.

Likewise, he noted that although prisoners forfeit their civil rights when they commit a crime, they are still human beings whose right to life must be respected.

Cardinal Nicolas Lopez Rodriguez of Santo Domingo presided at the Mass which was attended by President Leonel Fernandez and other government leaders.